New Orleans, La – Brett Evans joins the Xavier University of Louisiana team as associate vice president for advancement and campaign programming for Xavier’s Office of Institutional Advancement. For over 100 years, first as a preparatory school and then as a university, Xavier has promoted a more just and humane society, helping shape the nation through education and representation. As Xavier approaches its historic centennial in 2025, Evans brings to Xavier extensive campaign and leadership experience in support of the university’s centennial campaign with its promise to press forward and fear nothing.

In Evans’ new role, he will provide leadership and guidance to various aspects of the centennial campaign, including donor engagement and coordinating local and national events, communications, and program development.

“Joining Xavier University of Louisiana at this critical moment in the university’s history is incredibly exciting. The rich history of this institution, combined with exceptional students, faculty, and staff, truly make this university a special place,” said Evans. “I look forward to building relationships with our alumni and friends and learning about their Xavier experiences to help shape what we do. The more I learn about what the Xavier community has already accomplished and what it plans to do in the years ahead, the easier it was for me to know that this is where I want to be.”

With 20 years of professional experience in administrative and fundraising roles in higher education and nonprofit sectors, Evans is passionate about changing lives through the power of philanthropy, education, and service. He holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from the University of Alabama-Birmingham (UAB) and a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Political Science from Columbus State University. He began his higher education career as an administrator for the UAB School of Medicine, supporting faculty focused on genomic research.

Evans previously served as Baylor University’s assistant vice president for development. He led multiple fundraising teams at Baylor as part of the Give Light campaign, a $1 billion comprehensive campaign focused on improving the university’s research infrastructure and promoting positive student outcomes and spiritual growth. Prior to Baylor, Evans was Columbus State University’s (CSU) senior director of development and CSU Fund, leading multiple fundraising programs as part of the First Choice comprehensive campaign. 

Before his tenure at CSU, Evans was Auburn University’s Director of Development as part of the Because This is Auburn comprehensive campaign. He was also the development director of Kid One, a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing healthcare accessibility for children and families. Evans has managed a portfolio of major and principal gift donors in support of multiple university programs and priorities. 

“Xavier has outstanding leadership across the university and within the campaign itself, and I am honored to support their efforts,” said Evans. “Xavier’s centennial campaign will provide transformational resources for our students and campus infrastructure. It will build on our successes academically and within the community and help us meet the needs of current and future Xavierites so that they will impact the world for good.”

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About Xavier University of Louisiana

Xavier University of Louisiana, America’s only historically Black and Catholic University, is ranked among the top three HBCUs (historically Black colleges and universities) in the nation. Recognized as a national leader in STEM and health sciences, Xavier produces more African American students who graduate from medical schools each year than any other university in the United States. Additionally, Xavier’s College of Pharmacy is also among the top producers of African American pharmacists in the country.

Established in 1925, by Saint Katharine Drexel and the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament as a place for African American and Native Americans to receive quality education, Xavier has since expanded its programs in art, business, education, biological sciences, chemistry, pharmacy and political science. More recent additions in robotics, bioinformatics, engineering, data science, neuroscience and genetics, in addition to new STEM-based master’s programs, have provided Xavier students (2,749 undergraduates and 849 graduates) an unbeatable combination of traditional classroom study, hands-on research, service-learning opportunities and life experiences. Xavier students collaborate with world-renowned faculty, who are experts in their fields, to produce award-winning research and notable work. The winning Xavier formula is to provide students with a well-balanced curriculum and an environment that nurtures their intellect and feeds their souls, thereby facilitating a more just and humane society for all. For more information about Xavier University of Louisiana, visit us online at www.xula.edu or contact Regi Reyes at (504) 520-5425 or rreyes@xula.edu.